Scottish Executive

Air Services

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to the Office of Fair Trading regarding charter flight supplements charged on holiday flights from Scotland and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive has made no representations to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) regarding flight supplements on air services from Scottish Airports. If it received evidence that flight supplements were in breach of competition legislation, the Scottish Executive would refer this evidence to the OFT who would decide what action to take.

Arts

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the British Council with regard to the removal of council services for Scottish arts companies wishing to tour abroad.

Allan Wilson: The Executive has spoken with the British Council, which confirms that there has been no removal of council services for Scottish arts companies wishing to tour abroad.

Arts

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Scottish Arts Council and/or the British Council with regard to enhancing services for Scottish arts companies wishing to tour abroad.

Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive has regular discussion with the British Council and the Scottish Arts Council on a range of issues, which from time to time include the provision of support services to Scottish arts companies wishing to tour abroad.

Cancer

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to ensure that cancer screening programmes are accurate and effective in the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Susan Deacon: The effectiveness of available technology for ovarian cancer screening is being assessed as part of ongoing clinical trials.

  The UK National Screening Committee is due to re-evaluate the available evidence in 2003.

Child Protection

Janis Hughes (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are to improve children’s safety.

Mr Jack McConnell: Ministers are acting to improve children’s safety through a number of initiatives. In March I announced a   multidisciplinary review of child protection, which will focus on improving systems right across Scotland. Most recently, on Monday 4 June 2001 we issued the policy position paper Protecting Children: the Next Steps towards Securing their Safety , setting out our plans to introduce an index of adults unsuitable to work with children.

Climate Change Levy

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact implementation of the climate change levy will have upon the rural economy and whether it has made an estimate of the increase in quarry operators’ power costs in order to assess this impact.

Rhona Brankin: The UK Government expects the effect of its climate change levy on business energy use to be broadly neutral across business as a whole. No separate assessments of the impact on rural areas have been made.

Culture

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what topics were covered in the recent discussions held in Dublin between Ministers of the Irish Government and the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture.

Allan Wilson: The Columba Initiative was discussed at the meeting convened by Mary Coughlan, TD, the newly appointed Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. The initiative has the aim of developing links between Scotland and Ireland based on our shared Gaelic heritage.

Culture

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive with which UK Department it liaises on the Columba Initiative and what matters concerning the initiative are not within its competence.

Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive is a partner with the devolved administration in Northern Ireland and with the Government of the Republic of Ireland in the Columba Initiative. Relations between the UK and the Republic of Ireland are a responsibility of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. No problems relating to the Executive competence to support the Initiative have arisen.

Culture

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report on the progress of the Columba Initiative and the outcome of the recent discussions held in Dublin between Ministers of the Irish Government and the Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture.

Allan Wilson: The Strategic Plan of the Columba Initiative 2001-02 and 2003-04 was published in February. We expect to receive and to publish a progress report in the autumn.

Education

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in improving education in Scotland’s schools.

Mr Jack McConnell: Our latest Programme for Government sets out the significant progress we have made in improving education in Scotland’s schools. In addition, we have achieved an agreement which will improve teachers’ pay and modernise their conditions, and established an improvement framework with national priorities to maintain the drive to raise standards in schools.

External Affairs

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it plans to have with the Irish Government and what issues will be discussed.

Mr Jack McConnell: Scottish ministers enjoy regular contact with counterparts in the Irish Government, on a range of issues. The First Minister and other Scottish ministers will meet the Taoiseach on 20 June, when he visits Scotland as the guest of the First Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland, and will discuss a range of issues of common interest.

External Affairs

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the First Minister intends to make a ministerial statement regarding his recent discussions in Brussels with the leaders of other devolved administrations and why he did not seek the views of the Parliament beforehand.

Mr Jack McConnell: There are no plans for the First Minister to make a ministerial statement regarding his meeting in Brussels on 28 May with the leaders of other regional governments involved in the initiative co-ordinated by Flanders. The seven partners are co-operating to ensure that the views of constitutional regions will influence the substance of the developing debate on the Future of Europe. The Executive has already noted in Parliament its involvement in the Flanders Initiative. Our involvement demonstrates our commitment to working to promote mutually beneficial links between Scotland and Europe.

Food Standards Agency

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Food Standards Agency Scotland that it should improve its response time to correspondence.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Food Standards Agency, including its office in Scotland, reports directly to Ministers of the Scottish Executive and is required to meet the same Service Standards as the Scottish Executive.

  I have been advised by the agency that although an item of correspondence has recently gone unanswered, this has now been rectified and the agency has apologised publicly and is reviewing its internal procedures.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to allow male breeding sheep sales to take place this year.

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to allow female breeding sheep sales to take place this summer and autumn.

Ross Finnie: I appreciate fully the importance of breeding sheep sales to the Scottish sheep sector. It is too early to say whether or not it will be possible to hold conventional sales this year but the position is being kept under review.

Justice

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14481 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 April 2001, why Louis McDonald served only two-and-a-half years of his sentence before being released on parole licence.

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-14481 by Mr Jim Wallace on 6 April 2001, why Louis McDonald was (a) recalled to custody on 19 May 1999 and (b) re-released on 4 July 1999.

Mr Jim Wallace: Mr Louis McDonald was released on licence on 3 January 1997 in accordance with section 1(3) of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993, in the light of a recommendation from the Parole Board which the Secretary of State was statutorily obliged to accept.

  He was recalled to custody on 19 May 1999 on the recommendation of the Parole Board because of a breach of licence which suggested that he presented an unacceptable risk to the public. He remained in custody until the expiry of his sentence on 4 July 1999 when he was released.

Justice

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences involving (a) firearms and (b) handguns were recorded in (i) 1995-96, (ii) 1996-97, (iii) 1997-98, (iv) 1998-99, and (v) 1999-2000.

Mr Jim Wallace: The information requested is given in the following table:

  Crimes and offences recorded by the police in Scotland in which a firearm was alleged to have been used, 1995-96 to 1999-2000

  


 


Financial Year 
  



1995-96 
  

1996-97 
  

1997-98 
  

1998-99 
  

1999-2000 (provisional)




Crimes and offences involving pistol/revolver 
  

120 
  

175 
  

134 
  

156 
  

114 
  



Total crimes and offences involving firearms 
  

1,763 
  

1,530 
  

1,076 
  

1,066 
  

976

Justice

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of firearms offences were connected with robberies in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98, (d) 1998-99 and (e) 1999-2000.

Mr Jim Wallace: The information requested is given in the table:

  Crimes and offences recorded by the police in Scotland in which a firearm was alleged to have been used, 1995-96 to 1999-2000

  


 


Financial Year 
  



 


1995-96 
  

1996-97 
  

1997-98 
  

1998-99 
  

1999-2000 (provisional) 
  



 


(%) 
  



Percentage of crimes and offences involving firearms which 
  were robberies 
  

13.2 
  

14.4 
  

11.3 
  

13.1 
  

12.2

Learning Disabilities

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact on individual learning difficulty sufferers of the withdrawal of the Meares-Irlen syndrome service currently provided by Glasgow Caledonian University.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The provision of this service at Glasgow Caledonian University is a matter for the university. I am advised by the university that the service is not being withdrawn.

Legal Aid

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15596 by Mr Jim Wallace on 17 May 2001, whether it met the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) to discuss the proposed allocations to the Legal Aid Fund for financial years 2002-03 and 2003-04 set out in table 1.0 of The Scottish Budget prior to the publication of these figures; if so, when this meeting took place and what SLAB’s position was with regard to the published figures.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Executive is in regular contact with the Scottish Legal Aid Board to discuss expenditure from the Legal Aid Fund. However, decisions on future provision for legal aid within the overall budget of the Scottish Executive lie with Scottish Ministers. As I explained in my answer on 17 May (question S1W-15596) the Legal Aid Fund is not cash limited. Scottish Ministers are legally obliged to provide sufficient funding to allow the Scottish Legal Aid Board to pay the cost of legal aid in every case that qualifies under the terms of the scheme.

Modernising Government

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in implementing its plans to modernise the workings of the Scottish Executive and increase its accountability.

Angus MacKay: The Executive is committed to modernising government for Scotland. The modernisation programme is designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Executive. It focuses on key developments in leadership, business planning, performance management, diversity and attracting and developing talent.

  A key element of the programme is a new objective based Pay and Performance Management System. The system will ensure there are clear links between personal objectives and the Executive’s higher level objectives. Every individual will be accountable for achieving their objectives. The new system will complement the Executive’s business planning process which is closely aligned with the budget process. Work is also going on to streamline Executive wide processes using IT, such as correspondence handling and records management.

  The Scottish Ministers are accountable to Parliament for the use of all the resources that are allocated to them.

National Cultural Strategy

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in continuing to audit the availability of opportunities for training and continuing professional development for those working in the cultural sector in order to identify areas which require further development.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in improving access to advice, relevant business skills and training for those working in the cultural sector.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in reviewing existing forums for gathering the views of those working in the cultural sector about the ways in which national arrangements might be adjusted and improved.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in creating opportunities for networking amongst those working in the cultural sector to stimulate sharing of experience and good practice and the agreement of common objectives.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in promoting the contribution of new technologies to the cultural life of Scotland in partnership with Scottish Screen, the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to assure the contribution of the broadcast media to Scotland’s cultural life, including plans to capitalise upon the opportunities afforded by developments in digital technologies.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in supporting Scottish Screen’s development of a Film Charter for Scotland and the exploration of the feasibility of establishing a film studio.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in investigating the feasibility of building on existing work involving a range of bodies to establish a national product design network.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in investigating the feasibility of identifying national centres of excellence in traditional arts.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in enhancing existing structures and arrangements for recognising achievement in arts and cultural activity.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in identifying and promoting the national roles and responsibilities and realising the full potential of funded arts companies which work across Scotland.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 1.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in promoting partnerships by public and private bodies which support the production of the highest standards of cultural work.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in continuing to support, where demand is sufficient, Gaelic-medium pre-school and primary education.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in examining the feasibility of a centre for the languages of Scotland covering Gaelic and the varieties of Scots which could incorporate the Scottish National Dictionary.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in ensuring that, through their initial training and continuing development, teachers are well prepared to promote and develop all pupils’ language skills.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in continuing to support the production of education resources which encourage language diversity and encourage learning about all the languages spoken in Scotland.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in establishing an action group to consider how the languages and cultural traditions of Scotland’s ethnic minorities can be supported and how their contribution to Scotland’s culture can be recognised and celebrated.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in initiating a national audit of collections in the museums and galleries, beginning with the industrial museums.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in supporting the development of education services, including the production of digital and other education resources, in museums, galleries and sites in the care of Historic Scotland.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in reviewing the existing statutory framework relevant to museums and galleries and considering the case for a comprehensive national framework.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in increasing access to museum collections by means of ICT, including securing the future of the Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in reviewing current library legislation to ensure that it is appropriate to the 21st century.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in supporting the National Library of Scotland in its aim to become a "hybrid library" maintaining its traditional print-based functions while developing its ICT facilities.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to the key priority 2.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in encouraging new partnerships in both public and private sectors, and further collaboration within the library sector, to include the exploitation of ICT and the development of policies for national collections, particularly in relation to Scottish material.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in promoting the establishment of an Internationalisation (Go and See) Fund to support inward and outward travel by individuals and companies working in the cultural sector to learn, exhibit, screen or perform in other countries.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in building upon existing initiatives and joint working by relevant bodies such as the Scottish Arts Council, the British Council, Scotland Europa, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Trade International and Scottish Screen to develop opportunities to promote Scotland’s culture abroad.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in maximising the benefits of existing international links, including town-twinning, to widen cultural access and understanding.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in seeking opportunities to promote Scotland’s culture abroad.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in setting up a Ministerial Task Force to promote cultural tourism as part of the New Strategy for Scottish Tourism.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in collaborating in joint cultural activity or projects with other European regions/member states to access EU Culture 2000 funding and influence EU policy for culture.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 2.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in ensuring that Scotland attracts international events.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in recognising and celebrating schools as centres of creativity.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in commissioning Learning and Teaching Scotland to work with the Scottish Arts Council to prepare practical advice for education authorities and schools on the particular contribution that cultural activity can make to forging links with communities and to promoting pupils’ achievement, knowledge and skills, self-esteem, creativity and inclusion.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in identifying the contribution that cultural activities can make to promoting literacy, in the context of the work of the Adult Literacy Task Force.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in reinforcing support for the National Grid for Learning, Learndirect Scotland and other lifelong learning initiatives through the Public Library IT initiative and the Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in working with education authorities to maximise opportunities for instrumental tuition in schools free to those who are unable to pay.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in piloting posts as school co-ordinators for heritage, arts and culture and fulfilling the commitment to have sports co-ordinators in every secondary school in 2003.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in ensuring that the value of culture in the school experience is promoted in future reviews of teachers’ initial training and continuing professional development.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in ensuring that the potential contribution of culture is recognised in community learning.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in progressively improving access to museum, gallery and library collections for all groups.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in establishing a national "portal" website with information, links and discussions forums on Scotland’s culture.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in (a) measuring and reporting progress in reducing cultural exclusion because of disability, location, age or economic or educational factors and (b) reporting on progress in meeting new standards.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in encouraging all national cultural bodies to establish junior boards of young people.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in encouraging the development of the Public Library Network.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in promoting arts and cultural activity throughout the country by companies with national roles.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in recognising the power of popular music-making to engage young people in cultural activities.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in promoting a wide range of community-based cultural and sporting activities in the context of Social Inclusion Partnerships.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in auditing all public support for arts and culture in terms of its social benefits, including its planned contribution to social inclusion.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in conducting robust evaluations of the contribution that cultural and sporting activity makes to urban regeneration in the context of existing projects, and identifying and disseminating features of good practice.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in increasing the numbers across all communities taking part in voluntary activities, including cultural activity, in line with the Active Communities Initiative and Millennium Volunteers.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 3.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in investigating the feasibility of extending New Deal to a wider range of cultural and sporting development and training and identifying the contribution that Modern Apprenticeships can make to developing young people’s skills in cultural and sporting activity.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in ensuring that continuing reviews of existing cultural bodies take full account of the objectives set out in the National Cultural Strategy and include an early review of the work and roles of the Scottish Arts Council.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in working with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and others to promote effective local partnerships between groups of local authorities and key local bodies to provide a range of cultural activities in line with local priorities.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in embedding cultural strategies within the local community planning process and within community learning plans, and in forming links with key local agencies.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.1 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in increasing recognition of the potential contribution of the cultural and aesthetic across all areas of Scottish Executive policy.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in developing, disseminating and applying relevant research into aspects of cultural provision in Scotland.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in establishing an effective system for gathering and disseminating information and statistics about national provision for cultural activity and participation.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in publishing regular summaries of research into the range, level and quality of cultural provision.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.2 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made, as part of the development of a national evaluation framework for cultural provision in Scotland, in commissioning a set of instruments for evaluation, to be progressively developed to include exemplification of standards, illustrations of good practice and advice on measuring the social benefits of cultural activity, for use by all those working in these areas.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in working with funding bodies and those charged with making cultural provision to agree a clear set of national priorities for cultural development.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in minimising the bureaucracy associated with public funding.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in collating information from funding bodies to provide an annual prospectus setting out funding available which includes information about deadlines and funding criteria.

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to key priority 4.3 outlined in its National Cultural Strategy , what progress has been made in continuously monitoring and reviewing the balance between project and revenue funding of cultural provision to promote sustainability.

Allan Wilson: The National Cultural Strategy states that progress reports will be made to the Scottish Parliament annually. I look forward to giving the first such report later this year.

National Parks

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding will be made available for the proposed Cairngorms National Park and whether any such funding will be utilised in a way that encourages the pursuit of sport and recreation.

Rhona Brankin: The statutory consultation being conducted by Scottish Natural Heritage on the proposal for a Cairngorms National Park is required to address the matter of funding. That report is due on 13 July. Scottish Ministers will wish to take note of these findings in determining the funding levels through the usual processes of the public expenditure round.

  The National Park authority will determine exactly how they use their funding, but this must be consistent with the purpose of furthering their aims, one of which is "to promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public".

Pigs

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any infectious diseases carried by pigs which can cross the species barrier into humans.

Ross Finnie: There is a wide range of diseases carried by pigs which can be passed on to humans. Similarly, the effect on humans varies widely according to the nature of the disease and the susceptibility of the individual.

Planning

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of planning applications made since 1993 were approved in each of the following sectors: large scale retail development, new housing development, industrial estate, landfill, coal extraction, urban development project, holiday village or hotel complex, waste water treatment plant and renewable energy development.

Lewis Macdonald: Consistent, comparative data are only available since local government reorganisation in 1996. The categories by which data are collected do not match those requested. The data that are available are shown in the table. The instructions given to planning authorities relating to the allocation of planning applications among the categories are provided below the table. The latest data shown are for the period from 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001.

  


 


1996-97 


1997-98 


1998-99 




 


Decisions 


Approvals 


% approved 


Decisions 


Approvals 


% approved 


Decisions 


Approvals 


% approved 




1. Householder 


16,654 


16,243 


97.5 


16,629 


16,223 


97.6 


16,833 


16,387 


97.4 




2. Minerals 


97 


90 


92.8 


110 


91 


82.7 


105 


98 


93.3 




3a. Dwellings (Major - 10 or more) 


826 


724 


87.7 


803 


693 


86.3 


817 


714 


87.4 




3b. Dwellings (Minor - less than 10) 


5,560 


4,728 


85.0 


5,393 


4,693 


87.0 


6,242 


5,435 


87.1 




4a. Business & Industry (Major) 


430 


398 


92.6 


464 


431 


92.9 


491 


456 


92.9 




4b. Business & Industry (Minor) 


3,423 


3,189 


93.2 


3,682 


3,433 


93.2 


4,385 


4,126 


94.1 




5a. Other (Major) 


473 


418 


88.4 


518 


472 


91.1 


463 


425 


91.8 




5b. Other (Minor) 


6,622 


6,031 


91.1 


6,762 


6,119 


90.5 


6,442 


5,911 


91.8 




6. Listed Buildings/CA Consents 


2,593 


2,487 


95.9 


2,836 


2,624 


92.5 


3,008 


2,780 


92.4 




7. Advertisements 


2,628 


2,279 


86.7 


2,671 


2,317 


86.7 


3,288 


2,759 


83.9 




Sub-total (Categories 1-7) 


39,337 


36,587 


93.0 


39,868 


37,096 


93.0 


42,074 


39,091 


92.9 




8. Hazardous Substance Consents 


6 


6 


100.0 


4 


4 


100.0 


5 


5 


100.0 




9. Other Consents 


447 


408 


91.3 


486 


438 


90.1 


531 


495 


93.2 




Total (Categories 1-9) 


39,789 


37,001 


93.0 


42,289 


39,387 


93.1 


42,610 


39,591 


92.9 




  


 


1999-2000 


2000-01 


5-year total 




 


Decisions 


Approvals 


% approved 


Decisions 


Approvals 


% approved 


Decisions 


Approvals 


% approved 




1. Householder 


17,805 


17,172 


96.4 


17,404 


16,885 


97.0 


85,325 


82,910 


97.2 




2. Minerals 


82 


71 


86.6 


86 


81 


94.2 


480 


431 


89.8 




3a. Dwellings (Major - 10 or more) 


886 


780 


88.0 


862 


758 


87.9 


4,194 


3,669 


87.5 




3b. Dwellings (Minor - less than 10) 


6,312 


5,608 


88.8 


6,229 


5,440 


87.3 


29736 


25,904 


87.1 




4a. Business & Industry (Major) 


578 


514 


88.9 


460 


434 


94.3 


2,423 


2,233 


92.2 




4b. Business & Industry (Minor) 


4,353 


4,066 


93.4 


3,840 


3,619 


94.2 


19,683 


18,433 


93.6 




5a. Other (Major) 


518 


467 


90.2 


427 


380 


89.0 


2,399 


2,162 


90.1 




5b. Other (Minor) 


5,668 


5,305 


93.6 


5,439 


5,048 


92.8 


30,933 


28,414 


91.9 




6. Listed Buildings/CA Consents 


3,193 


2,892 


90.6 


3,014 


2,754 


91.4 


14,644 


13,537 


92.4 




7. Advertisements 


3,256 


2,688 


82.6 


3,164 


2,668 


84.3 


15,007 


12,711 


84.7 




Sub-total (Categories 1-7) 


42,651 


39,563 


92.8 


40,925 


38,067 


93.0 


204,855 


190,404 


92.9 




8. Hazardous Substance Consents 


9 


8 


88.9 


53 


50 


94.3 


77 


73 


94.8 




9. Other Consents 


940 


794 


84.5 


648 


593 


91.5 


3,052 


2,728 


89.4 




Total (Categories 1-9) 


43,600 


40,522 


92.9 


41,626 


38,710 


93.0 


209,914 


195,211 


93.0 




  Instructions To Planning Authorities Relating To Allocation Of Planning Applications Among Categories:

  1. Householder development

  Include all applications for development in the curtilage of a residential property which are not a change of use, for example: extensions, alterations, garages, swimming pools, walls, fences, driveways and porches. Exclude applications to change the number of dwellings in a building.

  2. Minerals

  Include surface mineral workings, surface installations for underground workings, mineral handling installations, brick and tile works, pipelines, conveyors, etc (NLUC classifications mi01a, mi01b, mi01d, ma06a, tr05b).

  3. Dwellings

  Include only developments within class 9 of the T+CP (Use Classes)(Scotland) Order 1997. Omit householder development (included in 1), hotels, hostels, caravan sites etc.(included in 5). Distinguish between major and minor classed as major. Where no number is given, a site area (see below) of 0.5 hectare or more can be used to distinguish major from minor.

  4. Business and industry

  Include developments in Use Classes 2 and 4 to 6 (including wholesale distribution). Distinguish between major and minor applications in rows a and b, classing as major if the floorspace to be built is 1000 sq. metres or more, or if the site area is 1 hectare or more.

  Floorspace

  area proposed in the application (i.e.: with basement car parks, rooftop plant rooms, caretaker’s flats etc included).

  Site area

  shown in the submitted plan. Land owned by the applicant but not directly involved should be excluded; exclude also the area of any adjoining or intervening roads.

  5. All other development

  Include all developments and uses not already covered, unless they fall into one of the special categories of application to be shown in rows 6 to 9. Distinguish between major and minor applications as above.

  Choosing between categories 1-5

  Changes of use should be allocated within rows 2 to 5 according to the end use, or principal end use, of the proposed change. Thus an application to convert a warehouse into 12 flats - where the work would be permitted development but for the fact that a change of use was involved- should be classed as "dwellings: major". Mixed use applications should be allocated by the principal use of the development. Normally, this will be the use which accounts for most floorspace. If there is any doubt, as for example in a multi-storey development where the split between one type of use and another is roughly equal, the ground floor use should be taken as the principal one. A proposed development should be classed by its own principal use and not by that of the complex of which it may form part. Also, a decision should be reckoned as major or minor according to the actual application being decided. Thus the grant of outline permission for housing on a site should be classed as "Dwellings, major", while the later approval of details for five houses on part of the site should be classed as "Dwellings, minor".

  6. Listed building and conservation area consents

  Decisions on applications for listed building consent to extend, alter or demolish, and any other consents under listed buildings and conservation areas legislation.

  7. Advertisements

  Applications for consent to display advertisements under regulation 5 of the T&CP (Control of Advertisements) (Scotland) Regulations 1984.

  8. Hazardous substances consents Include applications for consent under regulation 5 of the T&CP (Hazardous Substances)(Scotland) Regulations 1993.

  9. Other consents and certificates

  Include applications for established use certificates, applications for certificates of lawfulness of existing use or development or of proposed use or development, applications for certificates of appropriate alternative development, notifications of proposed development by Government departments, and notifications on overhead electricity lines [for both these notifications, the date of decision is the date the planning authority sent its views and comments to the notifier]. Include also applications for prior approval by Coal Authority or licensed operator under Classes 60+62 of the GPDO. EXCLUDE any notifications and directions under GDPO Parts 6+7 relating to agricultural & forestry development; these should not form part of any totals here but should be entered in Table 7.

Prison Service

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to improve the prison education system and rehabilitation programmes.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

  SPS developed a new prisoner education policy which was implemented on 1 April 2000 through commercial contracts with a number of providers of education services to all SPS prisons. SPS aims this year to provide at least 250,000 prisoner learning hours.

  A new SPS Director of Rehabilitation and Care, who took up post on 1 May is reviewing the range of programmes currently available. This year the SPS aims to deliver 700 programmes to address offending behaviour of which 50% are accredited. These include cognitive skills, problem-solving skills training, anger management, drug relapse prevention and sex offender programmes.

Procurator Fiscal Service

Elaine Thomson (Aberdeen North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to monitor and improve the efficiency of the Procurator Fiscal Service.

Colin Boyd QC: Detailed arrangements are already in place to monitor efficiency by reference to a number of departmental performance targets and monitoring information informs departmental management planning. These are reported publicly in our departmental annual report. Improved arrangements for monitoring performance will be developed alongside the introduction of the new computer system.

Rail Network

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the use of special purpose vehicles as a method of funding rail improvements.

Sarah Boyack: Scottish Executive officials are in regular contact with the Strategic Rail Authority on a wide range of matters, including the financing of railway infrastructure projects.

Roads

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that streets are restored to a high standard after utilities works.

Sarah Boyack: Utility companies that dig up the road are required, by statute, to reinstate the excavation to a specified standard. That standard is set out in the document Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in the Highway , which was published by HMSO in 1992.

Saltire

Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received about defining the colour of the Saltire and what action it intends to take in response to any such representations.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Executive received representations from the Saltire Society on this subject at the end of April this year. No other correspondence has been received over the past 12 months, but three written questions received replies during that period (S1W-6312, Irene McGugan - 9 May 2000, S1W-6362, Nick Johnston - 10 May 2000, S1W-6886, Irene McGugan - 23 May 2000).

  The replies to these questions made clear that the Executive had no intention of specifying in legislation, or otherwise, the proportions and colours of the national flag for Scotland. The Executive believes that the dignity of the Saltire is best maintained by continuing high standards of production on the part of flag-makers. Statutory regulation would be inappropriate and enforcement impracticable; the colour and condition of flags flown outside for example is inevitably affected by exposure to weather and sunlight.

  The Scottish Executive ensures that flags flown from its buildings and those of its agencies and associated departments are produced to a high standard and observe the necessary heraldic conventions.

School Meals

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that all food used for school dinners is free from contamination.

Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-03551 on 6 June 2001.

School Meals

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the extent to which schools may be serving unsafe food, in particular that derived from pet food meat.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Food Standards Agency has advised that direct responsibility for the safety of food served in Scottish schools rests with the environmental health department of each local authority. They ensure that the relevant caterers meet the standard required of all food businesses; this includes ensuring the food is fit for human consumption. The agency has no evidence to suggest that meat designated for pet food has illegally been used in the preparation of school meals.

School Meals

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has informed parents and the public in general of any schools which may have used illegally imported pet food meat in the preparation of school meals after any such imports have been brought to its attention by the Food Standards Agency Scotland.

Malcolm Chisholm: It is the policy of the Food Standards Agency to ensure that the public is informed quickly and effectively whenever it is aware that there is a risk of unsafe food entering the food chain.

  Recent identification of the illegal use of meat designated for pet food in foods for human consumption, led to comprehensive product recalls, advertisements being placed in national newspapers and the issuing of statements to the media. The agency in Scotland has no evidence to suggest that any of the products concerned were used in school meals.

School Meals

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will request the Food Standards Agency Scotland to conduct an investigation into the safety of school meals.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Food Standards Agency Scotland reports that it has no evidence that food being served in schools is unsafe. Direct responsibility for the safety of food served in schools rests with the environmental health department of each local authority. Were there to be evidence that food safety had been compromised, the Food Standards Agency would respond quickly and a full investigation, through the local authority enforcement officers, would be carried out.

School Meals

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to set standards for safe and nutritional school food similar to those already in existence in England and Wales.

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to ban the promotion of food and drink brand names on school premises.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Scottish Diet Action Plan Eating for Health Model Nutritional guidelines provides the framework for the Scottish Executive’s drive towards healthier eating, makes it clear that schools should take steps to ensure that school meals, tuck shops and vending machines provide a range of healthy food and drink choices.

  The aim is for all schools, both primary and secondary, to provide high quality food and drinks which are attractive to children and which result in consistent nutritious balanced meals and snacks. We are undertaking a range of measures to encourage authorities to adopt these guidelines.

Sex Education

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contents of the Primary School Sex and Relationship Education Pack are appropriate for use in teaching nine-year-old primary school pupils.

Mr Jack McConnell: This resource for teachers contains some materials which may be suitable for use at the right stages of primary school. However, since the pack is designed to assist and inform teachers, and cover the differing educational needs of children at various ages, it follows that much of its content will not be appropriate for use with nine-year-old children. It is for individual schools and authorities to decide whether to use this pack, or some of the elements of it or indeed another resource altogether, but whatever resource they use, they must take into account the statutory guidance, age, understanding, stage of development and needs of their pupils. In addition, parents will, of course, be consulted about programmes of sex education in schools. This consultation, and the professionalism of teachers, will ensure that inappropriate materials are not used in Scottish classrooms.

Smoking

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to conduct a clinical audit to assess the performance of health boards and Trusts with regard to smoking cessation treatment.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Clinical Research and Audit Group (CRAG) are not currently funding any audit work looking at smoking cessation and there are no plans for CRAG to conduct a clinical audit. However, health boards are required to monitor and evaluate the success of their smoking cessation services as a whole. The Scottish Executive is currently reviewing the progress health boards have made in the provision of such services with the funding made available to them for that purpose.

Social Work

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the morale of local authority social work department employees is improved.

Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer given to question S10-3249 on 5 April 2001.

Teacher Training

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will meet representatives of the Scottish Advisory Group for Outdoor Education to discuss the establishment of a teaching qualification in outdoor education.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education was involved in proposals developed in early 2000 for a teaching qualification on outdoor education. Decisions on those proposals were deferred pending the outcome of the discussions on the McCrone report. I intend to reconsider the proposals alongside the review of initial teacher education.

Teacher Training

Dr Richard Simpson (Ochil) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to promote and encourage recruitment into the teaching profession.

Mr Jack McConnell: The agreement, A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century ,   reached in February this year paves the way for a far reaching framework of modernisation which puts teachers at the heart of education.

  Today I was pleased to launch the first ever national recruitment campaign in Scotland. The first stage of this two-stage campaign is aimed at raising the profile and standing of teachers in our communities. The second phase will be aimed at encouraging talented people to choose teaching as a profession. The campaign is unique both in its national coverage and also in the strength of support it has received from parents, teacher organisations, employers and all those in the profession. It will undoubtedly increase the numbers of Scotland’s brightest and best entering the teaching profession and I am grateful to all those who have worked with us in putting the first steps in place.

Tourism

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will hold an inquiry into the amount of public funding made available to the National Trust for Scotland in respect of its proposed visitors centre at Glencoe.

Ms Wendy Alexander: No.

Transport

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what effect the draft European Transport Regulation may have on the competitive tendering position of the Glasgow Underground and whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government on this matter.

Sarah Boyack: In autumn 2000 the European Commission published a proposal for a Regulation on action by member states concerning public service requirements and the award of public service contracts in passenger transport by rail, road and inland waterway. This contains a number of key objectives, including the aim to update current regulations "to promote the best deal for the public by introducing controlled competition for public transport operation and opening up the markets between member states." As drafted, Glasgow Underground, along with light rail operations throughout Europe, would be covered by this Regulation and would need to be put to competitive tender at regular intervals.

  The draft Regulation is currently being discussed by member states and will be considered at the EU Transport Council in June, which I will attend. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including EC Regulations.

Vaccines

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive which vaccinations were part of the recommended programme for children in (a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990, (d) 1995 and (e) 2000.

Malcolm Chisholm: For each of the years specified, the following vaccinations made up the childhood immunisation programme:

  1980 - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, BCG

  1985 - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, BCG

  1990 - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, combined MMR (introduced nationally in October 1988), Rubella, BCG

  1995 - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hib (introduced in 1992), MMR, BCG

  2000 - Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hib, MMR, Men C (introduced autumn 1999), BCG

  Following the MR campaign in 1994, Rubella for schoolgirls was phased out.